Counting My Blessings

Tonight, I went to a mini workshop on writing Marching Band drill. It was so cool, and even if I never end up using it in my career, it is fascinatingly interesting. There were only about 10 people that came, but it was really chill and informative-a very good glimpse into our professional careers that are quickly approaching. My friend Vanessa brought delicious brownies, and I ate entirely too many. I gave her a ride home, and I ended up talking with her at her apartment for about two hours. We had the greatest time talking about music, teaching, and the blessings we have as music majors at BYU. There's not a better or more friendly atmosphere than in the BYU School of Music. We love what we do, what we study, and what we teach. We love our quirky music friends, and the random music major moments we've had in classes together, and the incredible mentors and friends that we admire. I wouldn't trade these moments for anything! We were basically counting our blessings that are so abundant in the BYU School of Music. There is so much to be grateful for!

I love donuts

Between classes, rehearsals, and other talking with friends, I was home for a combined total of 5 minutes today. Then I went to my 201 TA class, then straight to marching band. I had work right after, and on my way into the TC, I passed by a Y Weekend group that was being served Brick Oven pizza and root beer floats and donuts. I was hungry, but I passed. I go to work, and I check out a total of probably 3 tests, and Kenny helps me finish a Sudoku puzzle . ..my first successful one at work! I signed up on the "Go Home Early" list, and less than an hour into my shift, my supervisor says, "There are way too many people here," and she looks and the GHE list and sends me home. On my way out, I ate the last leftover donut. I love donuts. Hence the reason for the true, but random title of this post. But, what will I do with my Friday night? I wonder.
Go see a movie and hang out with friends! Which is excatly what I did. Dustin, and his roommates and I went to see "Hancock," which was followed by a trip to Maceys, where ironically enough, we saw several friends of ours. We ended up at their apartment, just chillin' . .. listening to music, making Maple-os (John's latest invention), taking light/time elapsed pictures and practicing our Expelliaramus charms. Although Mom worries that I won't date on Friday nights, at least I know how to have fun . ..well, when I get off work, at least! =)

New List of Fun

1) I get to play Eb clarinet in the Philharmonic Orchestra. I love working with Kory Katseanes!! It rocks. Although I keep saying I never want to play Eb again, because I have experience I get chosen to do so. It's worth playing that nasty beast to be in the top orchestra at BYU.
2) I'm teaching beginning band?!? Yes, 'tis true. As part of my elementary music class, we take an hour or two a week to visit an elementary school class to observe and teach, etc. So most people in my major specialty are vocalists, but Bro. Jaccard, knowing that I was an instrumentalist asked if I would be willing to help out with a beginning band at Wasatch Elementary School starting in October. I have no idea if I'm teaching multiple instruments, playing with them, directing them . ..who knows . ..but I am teaching beginning elementary band. I didn't even know those things existed! More updates later on that one when it comes around . .. .
3) On Wednesdays for my String Workshop class, we go and play with the New Horizons Orchestra, a community beginner orchestra strictly for seniors. Seriously, the age limit is over 40. Our first day is tommorow, and I'm rill excited . ...violin, plus fun music ed friends, plus a whole slew of musical old people?!? What can be better than that!
4)I got a Reese's shake at Macey's tonight. It was yum.

True Statement from my Science Book

"Whether or not a person should squeeze the tube [of toothpaste] at the end or at the middle is a question science is powerless to solve. Sorry."

Third Wheel Caught in a Rut

So the possiblity of a big change in the near future makes me nervous. It's not a change in school, interests, work, ward, or anything like that. It's a slowly shifting change that I'm sensing with a friend of mine. I think I've had it set in my mind that I have one set option and timeline for the next year or so, but somehow events and memories are constantly bringing me in conatact with this person, which could potentially have a huge impact in my life this coming year.
This is purposely vague. It's vague and brimming at the surface in my mind, and it's been on my mind for the last couple of days.

Art

I've recently discovered a love for new art. Today I was walking out of the HFAC, and I decided to take a look into this faculty art exhibit. This exhibit hall is right in a very prominent location of the HFAC, yet I've only been to the displays (it changes every month or so) once. And I loved it. So, I popped in today, and I loved it. Again. I'm always amazed at the creativity that these artists have, in regards to medium, colors, lighting, topics, and titles. I like to look at a piece and guess the title. Often, I'm way off, but it's so cool. On the 5th floor of the HFAC, there's often a couple of pieces displayed at the top of the stairs, and I stopped to experience one that was there about the Daily Universe. I'm ashamed to think that I'm constantly in a building for the fine arts, yet I rarely take time to observe the art exhibits. I don't know much about art or its techniques, and I certainly have little to none art talents myself, but I love viewing art. It's so . ..wholesome. Yes, that's the word. It makes me feel good.

Finally Posting Pictures

I decided that it's time to post some pictures to my blog. Do you remember how mom's hair style changed in every family picture? Well, Heidi and I did some research on hair styles, and here's what we found on Mom:


Here's what Mom looked like in 1960. Yes, while she was 6. Notice the horn-rimmed glasses, too.

On further investigation into Mom's old yearbooks, we also found the following:
I personally like the do up top, with the bob on the bottom.

Fast forward into another decade, and you meet BarbieMom. She always has the same smile, no matter what pain her hair style causes the general public.

Alas, we wondered if victims of hair disasters like this ever look back and regret previous hair styles. We decided that in case this was the situation we were facing right now, we'd better bring her as close to present as possible.

OUCH! I guess we didn't make it to 2008 . ..sorry Mom!

Sever Confusion

I sat next to Heidi in Physical Science today. We shouldn't do that. We laugh too much. It reminded me of a time in biology last summer . .. .

Friday. Student Presentation day. I sat next to Spencer, only semi-interested in a fellow student's presentation on some disease. She wasn't the brightest color in the Crayola box, as evidenced by her lack of correct spelling and grammar on her Powerpoint presentation. Whatever disease she was presenting had a side effect of "severe confusion," only this poor soul forgot to proofread, and the phrase ended up looking like "sever confusion." Spencer and I commented on the misspelling, and then he procedes to act it out, asking me in a panicked voice, "WHICH ARM IS MISSING?!?" Alas, I was laughing silently, yet violently the remainder of the class.

Maybe two Blake siblings next to each other isn't such a good idea afterall . . ..

Condo Celebration!

So, for the last year I've lived in the condo, we've suffered two rather large inconveniences.
a) Our kitchen table (which has been here since Lisa lived here) is glass and octagonal. Firstly, who ever wants a table that shape?? Secondly, the base doesn't attach well to the top, and the base itself is held together with duct tape. For more reasons than one, we covered that ugly table with a tablecloth.
2) Our dishwasher. Shortly after I moved here, we discovered a puddle of moldy water at the bottom of our dishwasher after each load. Foul, if I do say so myself. So, every cleaning check and move-out, we requested a working dishwasher. At times it would smell so awful, I'm sure it killed any small creatures within a 2 mile radius. Alas, our request for a working dishwasher always resulted in drainage of the old water, allowing us to run another load .. .which still left sitting water. No. We hand washed all of our dishes and used it as a very large drying rack.

Ok, so with new roommates this fall, we discussed some household items. I decided to take the initiative to send an email to Debbie, our management lady, and Mom, the owner, requesting these changes. The miracle of it all is that it actually worked!! I sent the email on Sunday, and I got a response yesterday saying the new dishwasher would be delivered tomorrow! And what a beauty she is! The table is being picked out, and I have complete confidence that whether it be round or square, it will at least have four sturdy legs and be built out of wood. I guess co-sending that email to the owner really does the trick! =)

Tag, I'm It

I was Tagged by Emily, even though I thought I would pass under the radar.
Here are the rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know that they have been tagged.

1. I eat potato chips and fries from broken to smallest to biggest.
2. I recently discovered pisatchios.
3. BREEt! is one of my favorite happy sounds.
4. I want to ride in a hot air balloon someday.
5. I love the movie "The Majestic."
6. I would tag 6 people, but since the only readers of my blog so far are family, they're bound to have already been tagged. Now you don't have to worry about doing it again. =)

Labor Day mistake

Are you familiar with Bill Cosby's sketch where he tries making his children cake for breakfast? Yeah, well I did something along those lines today.
I started every holiday like I should .. .by sleeping in. I ate a granola bar at around 10, and then I did alot of stuff at the computer .. emailing, updating blogs, paying class fees, etc. Upon resurfacing upstairs, two of my roommates invite me to go to lunch and a movie with them in a couple of hours. Excited to hang out with them, I agree. Knowing that's in a few hours, I decide to have a little snack to tide me over.
You see, Kristy's birthday was Saturday, and she had a huge leftover chocolate cake and ice cream, which she pawned upon us as roommates to finish. I think I was a little over-anxious for sweets after having not eaten them for a whole month, so I fix myself a serving. It was delicious. I heated it up so the ice cream and chocolate filling would melt to absolute perfection. Yum!

Until about an hour or so later. I'm running errands with Heidi on campus, buying books, stopping in at the TC for work, trying to get a parking permit, etc., and I felt every ounce of sugar from that cake. And let me tell you . ..it did not feel well. At all. I had to call and cancel going with my roommates for an afternoon of Asian fun to go home and take a nap, hoping with all hope that my stomach would recover from this sugar overload. I think I've definitely learned my lesson .. .no more feasting after a famine. =)

how sweet it is

Welcome September! As many of you know, my former mission companion and best friend, Sis. Hannah Bates and I made some goals for the entire month of August. After being inspired by other sisters on the mission, we attempted to go without sweets for the whole month. Yes, that meant we didn't eat all the brownies, ice cream and cookies that were offered to us as departing missionaries, nor did I eat donuts at pear picking or birthday cake at Sibdin. Honestly, at first, it felt like fasting, and along those lines, I certainly learned that I do indeed have self control. So, if I ever wanted to lose weight or eat better (takers anyone?!), then I know I can do it . ..at least for a month.

Our other goal was to read the entire Book of Mormon during the month of August, just like the Odessa Texas Stake challenges us to do every year. Although I wasn't as diligent in daily reading as Mom, I did start and complete the whole book in August. I read from a copy I bought in Nauvoo-a fascimile copy of the original 1830 edition. I enjoyed reading from that edition. Not only did it read more like a novel, but I kept thinking and remembering that this edition is what those early Nauvoo Saints read when they gained their testimonies of the book's truthfulness and the reality of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I love that book, and it's almost impossible not to feel the personal reality of my Savior Jesus Christ as I read it.

So .. .any ideas for September goals? =)